The smaller and more rigid CNC 3018-Pro should be able to engrave text faster than the larger and rather springy MPCNC, which could engrave text at about 50 mm/min. This test pattern pushes both cutting depth and engraving speed to absurd values:
Compile the GCMC source to generate G-Code, lash a CD / DVD to the platform (masking tape works fine), touch off the XY coordinates in the center, touch off Z=0 on the surface, then see what happens:
The “engraving depth” translates directly into the force applied to the diamond point, because the spring converts displacement into force. Knowing the Z depth, you can calculate or guesstimate the force.
Early results from the 3018 suggest it can engrave good-looking text about 20 times faster than the MPCNC:
You must trade off speed with accuracy on your very own machine, as your mileage will certainly differ!
The GCMC source code as a GitHub Gist:
#1 by Joel on 2019-09-20 - 10:10
Looking really good Ed. Nice job. Congrats on getting your new toy working so well. Of course we knew you would…
#2 by Ed on 2019-09-20 - 13:22
It’s definitely playing tennis without the net! No cutting forces means the thing just drives back & forth over the platform at warp speed. None of this would make any sense if I were trying to do real subtractive machining … [grin]